Roughriders aren't exactly the 'A' team

Even though school is out, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are still receiving a report card.

The timing works because the Riders have completed the first third of their 18-game CFL regular schedule. The Riders find themselves with a 2-4 record and fifth in the West Division, four points out of fourth place and a possible playoff spot.

Here’s how the Roughriders break down, position by position:

QUARTERBACKS: Kevin Glenn, 38, continues to meet expectations despite being the oldest active player in the CFL. He has 11 touchdown passes, as opposed to six interceptions. He has surpassed 50,000 yards in passing for his 17-year career and has just moved into sixth place on the CFL’s all-time list, ahead of Riders legend Ron Lancaster. Backup Brandon Bridge has only seen game action in late in blowouts, so school is still out on his development. Glenn earns his grade based on consistency. GRADE: B.

RUNNING BACKS: Cameron Marshall is third in the league in rushing yardage (344) and average yards per carry (5,5). He has added balance to Saskatchewan’s offence with an effective ground attack. The running game isn’t as impactful when the Riders fall behind early in games. Still, Marshall has proven to be effective in games when he has been utilized. GRADE: C.

RECEIVERS: Naaman Roosevelt is eighth in the league in receiving yards (458). Duron Carter already has the potential CFL catch-of-the-year and leads the Riders with four touchdown catches. Bakari Grant is second with three. Caleb Holley is poised for a breakout game. The receivers will only get better with Rob Bagg rounding into form. GRADE: B.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: The production of Glenn, Marshall and the receivers all contribute to the offensive line’s grade. You don’t have that kind of production without the big guys up front doing their jobs with some level of efficiency. They still need to protect Glenn better and provide him with more time to throw the ball, which also factors into their mark. GRADE: C.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: The players can’t be blamed for the defensive scheme of rushing three linemen because that’s the defensive co-ordinator’s call. The line manages to generate pressure, but is most effective when rushing at least four players. Defensive end Willie Jefferson, who leads the Riders with four sacks and 15 quarterback pressures, has been the best player on the defensive line. GRADE: C.

LINEBACKERS: Middle linebacker Henoc Muamba leads the Riders with 25 defensive tackles. Rookies Sam Williams and Erick Dargan have been inconsistent, but will improve with experience. Samuel Eguavoen is slowly rebounding from the season-ending knee injury he suffered in 2016. GRADE: C.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: What mark does one award a group that has suffered busted coverages which have contributed to wide-open receivers and easy touchdowns? Members of the secondary haven’t made enough big plays to compensate for their gaffes. The Riders have only two interceptions — none by the defensive backs. GRADE: F.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Tyler Crapigna started slowly, missing two clutch field-goal attempts. However, those were the only two misses among Crapigna’s 15 attempts this season. Unfortunately he was placed on the six-game injured list with a hamstring injury last week. Quinn van Gylswyk, Crapigna’s replacement, connected on his lone convert attempt Saturday during a 30-15 loss to the host B.C. Lions. Josh Bartel is among the league’s top punters, averaging 42.9 yards per boot. The coverage teams have been OK. So has the return game, which should improve when Chad Owens finally gets on the field. Grade: C.

COACHES: Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, has only one victory over a West Division team in 1 1/3 seasons with the Roughriders. Until his team is more competitive against divisional foes, the Riders will struggle to keep pace. Jones is also the defensive co-ordinator. The offence — designed by co-ordinator Stephen McAdoo — is based on passes of short and intermediate length, seemingly because Glenn doesn’t have much time to throw a deep ball. At this juncture of the season, the Riders are only one win better than in 2016. That showing results in Jones’ mark. GRADE: D.

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